Julian Strawther finished with a season-high 20 points and six different Nuggets scored in double-figures as Denver got another gutsy effort from its undermanned rotation to beat Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks 102-100.
Tim Hardaway Jr. shook off back-to-back-to-back rough shooting nights to pour in 17 points off the bench including two clutch free-throws to give the Nuggets a 101-97 lead with 10.6 seconds left. Bruce Brown added 15 points. Jalen Pickett finished with 13 points and 7 assists.
It was another impressive win for the Nikola Jokic-less Nuggets — although Denver nearly blew a 20-point 2nd half lead — but it came at a cost.
Aaron Gordon, who has been plagued by a hamstring strain all season, suited up for tonight’s back-to-back and aggravated his right hamstring injury just before halftime and did not return to the game. So the Nuggets played tonight’s 2nd half without all 5 of their opening night starters.
Antetokounmpo had a mostly quiet night and finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists before leaving the game due to injury with under a minute to go in the 4th.
Here’s what else stood out from the game.
Gordon re-injures his hamstring
Gordon was doing a valiant job limiting Antetokounmpo in the 1st half, using his size and strength to keep Giannis out of the paint. But Gordon grabbed at his right hamstring — the one that’s been injured on and off for most of the season — and didn’t return to the game in the 2nd half.
It was the latest set-back for Gordon and a Nuggets roster that’s been riddled with injuries this season. Gordon was on the injury report for tonight’s back-to-back but listed as probable throughout the day. He played 33 minutes last night in Washington but gave it a go again tonight.
Strawther goes crazy
It’s been a season to forget for Strawther, who has barely been in the rotation for David Adelman. But lately there’s been some signs of life.
Strawther tallied 15 points in 20 minutes earlier this week in the Nuggets win over the Hornets. Tonight, he was giving off Game 6 vs. OKC vibes.
Strawther was the Nuggets leading scorer for most of this game and hit the 20-point mark midway through the 4th quarter. He was draining 3s, getting to the line, and looking like the player some envisioned he could become over the last couple years.
Maybe the book on Strawther’s impact in a Nuggets uniform isn’t fully closed. Or maybe he’s just upping his trade value.
Another gutsy effort
Without Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson, and Jonas Valanciunas, who were all resting with injuries after last night’s win over the Wizards, the Nuggets put together another gutsy effort tonight.
It’s been a theme of this group and this season. Jokic is still at least a few games away from a potential return. Christian Braun is still out with no signs of when he’ll get back on the floor. Cam Johnson is ramping up but it doesn’t feel like his return is imminent either.
A massive tip of the cap to Pickett, Zeke Nnaji, Bruce Brown, Spencer Jones and the rest of the Nuggets who have gone out and fought with pride and passion.